2012 ford shelby-gt500 Model Overview

Overall Rating:

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Ford has only minor changes to the king-of-the-Mustang-hill Shelby GT500 for 2012. Among the additions to the Mustang Shelby GT500, are three driver-selectable steering modes (sport, normal, and comfort), and a new interior upgrade kit. The optional interior upgrade kit includes the same Recaro racing seats that are available in the Mustang Boss 302, except on the Shelby GT500 they’re wrapped in leather, not cloth.

The Mustang Shelby GT500 is powered by a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 producing 550 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the six-speed manual transmission, the V-8 pushes the Mustang Shelby GT500 from a standstill to 60 mph in a (traction-limited) 4.1 seconds. The quarter mile comes quickly too, with the Shelby GT500 taking 12.4 seconds at 115.8 mph. Coming to a dead stop from 60 mph takes the Mustang Shelby GT500 just 103 feet.

The Shelby GT500 is also at home in the twisties as it is at the drag strip; during our testing the Shelby Mustang consistently pulled 1.01 g on the skidpad, thanks to its super sticky Goodyear Tires. Although the Mustang Shelby GT500 is by no means a fuel-miser (15 mpg city/23 mpg highway), buyers should be happy to know that 2011 and newer Shelby GT500s are the first modern Shelbys without a federally mandated gas guzzler tax.

The 550-hp Mustang Shelby GT500 gets minor changes this year. Newly standard on all Shelby GT500s are three driver selectable steering modes. The three modes are Comfort, which lightens steering effort and lessens road feel, Sport which gives the driver the most steering feel and requires the most effort, and Normal, which balances the other two. Newly available for 2012 is the interior upgrade kit. The interior upgrade kit includes leather-wrapped Recaro seats to help the driver stay in place during aggressive driving.

The retro-themed Mustang Shelby GT500 shares most of its features with the other models of the Mustang lineup. To differentiate the Shelby GT500 from the rest of the Mustang lineup, the GT500 has a unique front bumper, grille, hood, wheels, and spoiler. The GT500 also features contrasting hood and side stripe options available in most colors. Standard GT500s ride on 19-inch aluminum five-spoke wheels, while those with the SVT Performance Package get mean looking black 19-inch front, and 20-inch rear forged aluminum wheels.

With a two-plus-two seating arrangement and stylish, retro touches, the interior of the Shelby GT500 is the standard affair. The optional interior upgrade kit is new for 2012. The interior upgrade kit includes Recaro racing seats from the Mustang Boss 302 to help the driver stay in place during aggressive driving. Unlike in the Mustang Boss 302, the Recaros in the Shelby GT500 are available in leather, with color coordinated stripes to match the Shelby GT500’s exterior paint color.

With its 550 hp supercharged 5.4-liter V-8, the Shelby GT500 is certainly the most powerful Mustang on the block, although not necessarily the fastest. In our testing, the Shelby GT500 took 4.1 seconds to hit 60 mph, while the Mustang Boss 302 took only 4.0 seconds for the task. Since the Shelby is so powerful, it’s a struggle to avoid bogging down, or turning the rear tires into wisps of smoke. The Shelby GT500 takes 12.4 seconds at 115.8 mph to tackle the quarter mile, and is capable of coming to a dead stop from 60 mph in just 103 feet, thanks to its Brembo brakes. The Shelby GT500 is also capable of pulling 1.01 g during lateral acceleration, making it easier to tackle corners.

To help novice (and distracted) drivers avoid driving the high-horsepower Shelby GT500 into trees, Ford’s AdvanceTrac electronic stability control system is standard equipment on this Mustang. The Mustang Shelby GT500 also comes from the factory with dual front airbags, and front seat-mounted side airbags. Like all Mustangs, the Shelby GT500 comes standard with Ford’s SOS Post-Crash Alert System which will flash the GT500’s signal lights and sound its horn in the event that the vehicle is involved in an accident.

2012 Ford Shelby GT500 Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$48,810

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$38,650

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Unique Shift Knob

Tail Lamps, LED

Lighting, Ambient

Emission Equipment Exemption, California - 936

Available Only on Units Sold to Authorized Governmental Units & Privately Owned Ambulance Companies.

N/C

N/C

Emission Equipment Override, California - 423

N/A in ME or VT for Non-CA Emission States ex When in Combo w/Emission Equipment Override-936.

N/C

N/C

Emission Equipment Override, Non-CA/Cross-Border Dealers - 93N

REQUIRES: [422] California/Cross-Border States Emission Equipment

N/C

N/C

Emission Equipment, 50-State - 425

Std

Std

Emission Equipment, California/Cross-Border States - 422

N/C

N/C

Mirrors, Dual Power

Std

Std

Alarm System, Perimeter

Std

Std

Tire Pressure Monitor

Std

Std

Defroster, Rear Window

Std

Std

Fog Lights, Front

Std

Std

Headlamps, HID

Std

Std

Restraint System, Dual Front & Front Side Impact Air Bag

Std

Std

Tire Inflation Kit

Std

Std

Trunk Entrapment Release

Std

Std

W/S Wipers, Variable Intermittent

Std

Std

Seats, Leather & Alcantara Surfaced Sport Bucket - 6*

Last Character Refers to Interior Color.

Std

Std

Seats, Leather Surfaced Recaro Sport Bucket - Q*

Last Character Refers to Interior Color.

$1,388

$1,595

Seat Adjuster, Power Driver's

Std

Std

Seat Adjuster, Power Driver's Lumbar

Std

Std

Seat, Split Folding Rear

Std

Std

10 GB Hard Drive

CONTAINED IN: [58N] Electronics Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

HD Radio

CONTAINED IN: [58N] Electronics Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

Radio Equipment, Auxiliary Input

Std

Std

Radio Equipment, Sirius Feature w/6-mos of Service

Std

Std

Radio, Shaker 1000 AM/FM Stereo w/CD & MP3 - 918

NOT AVAILABLE WITH: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg; [58N] Electronics Pkg

$1,127

$1,295

Radio, Shaker 500 AM/FM Stereo w/CD & MP3

Std

Std

Steering, Power

Std

Std

Unique F&R Stabilizer Bars

CONTAINED IN: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

Unique Rear Shock Absorbers

CONTAINED IN: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

Stabilizer Bars, F&R

Std

Std

Suspension, SVT-Tuned

Std

Std

Unique F&R Springs

CONTAINED IN: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

Tire, Spare Not Included

Std

Std

Tires, P255/40ZR19 Front & P285/35ZR19 Rear - T3V

Std

Std

Tires, P265/40ZR19 Front

CONTAINED IN: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

Tires, P265/40ZR19 Front & P285/35ZR20 Rear

CONTAINED IN: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg

N/C

N/C

Tires, P285/35ZR20 Rear

CONTAINED IN: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

Towing Cap, (Towing Not Recommended)

Std

Std

Wheels, Forged Painted Aluminum

Std

Std

Wheels, Unique Painted Forged Aluminum

CONTAINED IN: [67F] SVT Performance Pkg

Pkg

Pkg

Show Full Specs

Warranty

Warranty

Full Warranty Miles

36000

Maintenance Warranty Months

none

Full Warranty Months

36

Roadside Assistance Miles

60000

Powertrain Warranty Miles

60000

Roadside Assistance Months

60

Powertrain Warranty Months

60

Corrosion Warranty Miles

unlimited

Maintenance Warranty Miles

none

Corrosion Warranty Months

60

Recalls

Recalls

Recall ID#12V190000 - EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Units Affected

10500

Recall ID#15V319000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 10, 2016. Even if interim repairs were performed under safety recall 14V-802, owners must bring their vehicles in for the final remedy. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21. Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-802.

Units Affected

1018622

Recall ID#16V248000 - POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Consequence

An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks manufactured August 19, 2011, to March 9, 2012, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator vehicles manufactured August 19, 2011, to December 19, 2011, and 2012 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured August 19, 2011, to February 21, 2012. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices were mailed to owners on June 20, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

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